Palin urges Obama to seek closer ties with Canada

Just a few days after signing a historic agreement that will see a Canadian company build a massive pipeline to flow natural gas from Alaska to Alberta, Gov. Sarah Palin says she is working to strengthen relations with Canada, and Barack Obama should too.

She suggested the contract is an example of cross-border co-operation that Democratic president-elect Barack Obama can learn from.  "I want to grow the relationship we have with Canada," Palin said.  "I know Alaska is doing all we can to grow that relationship and we've gotta have faith that the newly elected administration will see the light on that and work very hard to increase and strengthen the relationship between our two countries."

Palin predicted the newly signed 2,700-kilometre pipeline project will boost U.S. domestic energy supply by 7 per cent and reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil sources.

"This has been long hoped for, prayed about, wished for, for really about 50 years here in Alaska," Palin said.

NAFTA, she said, has resulted in jobs in both the U.S. and Canada, and must be protected in order to keep both countries' economies "revving."

Palin said she agrees with Obama's choice of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, saying she was surprised he hadn't chosen the former first lady as his vice-presidential running mate during the campaign.